Media release: Public health leaders urge Government to act on PHAC report

Public health leaders say the Government cannot afford to ignore the findings of the Public Health Advisory Committee’s (PHAC) report, Determining Our Future, which sets out a roadmap for improving health and equity in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The latest Briefing from the Public Health Communication Centre (PHCC) welcomes the 200-page report, which identifies urgent challenges, including rising housing costs, the impacts of climate change, and the growing influence of industries such as alcohol and junk food marketing. The report also points to systemic inequities that continue to drive worse health outcomes for Māori and Pacific peoples.

The Briefing authors say the Government must respond decisively and work across sectors to address these underlying determinants of health.

“This report is a clear call to action,” says Professor Michael Baker, of the University of Otago and director of the PHCC. “The health system alone cannot fix these problems. We need all parts of government working together with communities to create the conditions for health and wellbeing. That means fairer housing, secure incomes, healthier environments, and policies that put people’s health ahead of commercial interests.”

The PHAC report calls for:

• Embedding Te Tiriti and human rights as the bedrock of society, while initiating a national conversation about how we want to govern our country as we move towards 2040
• Creating a joined-up public service that works collectively to achieve wellbeing goals, invests in and empowers communities, and embeds health considerations into all areas of policy and decision-making.
• Building a fairer economy by developing a model of economic growth that prioritises societal wellbeing, with more equitable, redistributive policies and greater investment in social and health services.
• Tackling climate change and other existential challenges with solutions that deliver health, social, and economic benefits for current and future generations.
• Ensuring the health system is equitable and accessible, eliminating discrimination and structural barriers to care.

Public health experts say the recommendations are achievable but require political courage and a commitment to long-term change.

“Every day we delay action, we are locking in preventable illness and inequity,” says Prof Baker. “We’ve seen what’s possible when there is a shared goal and cross-party support, like the progress made on reducing child poverty. Now it’s time to bring that same commitment to the broader determinants of health.”

The PHAC report makes clear that improving health is not only about better hospitals and clinics – it’s about ensuring every New Zealander has the opportunity to live in a safe home, have a secure income, access healthy food, and thrive in their community.

“Health is shaped by the decisions we make across all areas of society,” says Prof Baker. “If the Government is serious about a healthier, more equitable future for Aotearoa, as well as bolstering the economy and productivity, it must act on this report now – not leave it on the shelf.”